Outward to Infinite - New Little Gem Painting

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OutwdToInfLG_DChaney2016 Here's something I love about teaching.. sometimes the demo pieces actually become real paintings! These 9 " x 12" Loose canvas pieces belong in my Little Gems series which is inspired by practicing and experimentation. They are the results of my art making practice, often in front of a workshop group!

'Outward to Infinite' (c) Deb Chaney 2016  Original Contemporary Abstract Artwork is 9" x 12" Mixed Media on Loose canvas. Is available for sale inquire@debchaney.com  or text (604) 736-5111. See more of Deb's work at www.debchaney.com

Thank you Pacific Northwest Art Institute

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DebDemoAug2016 Just finished up a wonderful 3 day workshop at the Pacific Northwest Art Institute on Whidbey Island. Big thank you for the center's director Lisa Bernhart for going the extra mile and hosting me, proving me with a support person ( my angel - more on her later!), the over the top fantastic workshop venue, kind positive and fun loving students (class photo upcoming each holding their favourite art piece they made, again upcoming), and for making me feel so appreciated. Honestly, I felt like an artist super star. Really feels like living my dream. Thank you for being part of that coming true for me! See you in 2018 !

8 Ways to Start an Abstract Painting

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IMG_5468.JPG Some students shared at the start  of the workshop that simply starting a painting can be daunting, so we brainstormed together 8 ways you can start an abstract painting using acrylics. If you are at the beginning and staring at a white canvas and don't know where to start, this blog is for you!

  1. Choose a colour or colour scheme and start making marks and gestures with that colour. You could mix that colour with black and white and create a range of colours from that single colour.
  2. Choose a specific composition and adhere to that structure with your painting. For example: horizontal or vertical composition.
  3. Make some drips and splashes on your canvas with watered down acrylic paint and see what forms, go from there.
  4. Using your paint brush, fingers, foam brush, paper towel & other tools put marks on your canvas, asking yourself; "How can I do this differently?" Challenge yourself to make each stroke different in some way.
  5. Get clear on a theme or meaning for your painting and let that guide you. For example, your painting could be about love so you would start painting in a way that defines love visually for you.
  6. Look at some shadow shapes around you and use this lines and shapes to create negative/positive space areas for your painting.
  7. Look at another painting or photograph you like and attempt to copy it- make some changes to it so it'll become yours as you go !
  8. Use a view finder on an existing painting or image and zoom in on an area you really like that could work on its own as a painting. Use that localized portion of the painting as your inspiration for your new painting.

Above Photo - Deb Chaney doing a painting demo at the 'Layers & Process Workshop' today a the Pacific Northwest Art Institute on Whidbey Island. Deb Chaney - portfolio www.debchaney.com - workshops - www.IlluminateTheArtistWithin.com.

Art Social Finale

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ArtSocialDChaneyFinale.jpg Had so much fun last night at the live painting event at the shipyards venue in North Vancouver at the fabulous Shipyards Venue. Here's the painting I created in 37 minutes along with myself and it's new owners! Yes... there are sparkles, collage, and all sorts of mixed media in there. ..I had a blast being in creative process with this piece! Felt so much appreciation from this couple who purchased my artwork, this made me feel so special and appreciated! Thank you! Big thanks to Bill Higginson & Ben Lumb for inviting me & organizing the event.

 

Centerfold Pop Up Gallery Show

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I am so deeply honored and grateful to have these six Little Gem pieces up for sale at the upcoming Centerfold Pop Up Gallery Show this Saturday night August 20th, 2016 in East Vancouver at 4575 Alexandra Street, Van, BC V6J 4 C9.

What I love and appreciate so much about being part of this show is that this gallery is a new model of doing business and it's all about supporting artists. Centerfold is Montreal-based organization with the aim of driving social and economic change in the art industry. Their goal is to enable artists to gain exposure and funding while increasing art awareness within the community. This is what we need to see more of: win-win situations for both galleries and artists !

Starting from the top left-hand corner, and rotating clockwise, the paintings above are: ‘Floating Away’, ‘It’s All That’, ‘Love’, ‘Tangerine’, and ‘Split Complimentary’. These are all part of my Little Gems Series, each 9” x 12” Mixed Media on Loose Canvas, and Original Artwork by Deb Chaney. Available for sale. inquire@debchaney.com.  Plus ---There is one more painting entitled 'Joy' not shown here but it will be at the gallery that night! Go see!

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Art Social Live Painting Event: August 20th - 2016. Join us!

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TheArtSocial.pngWe are putting 30 of Vancouver's rising art stars under the spotlight. They have 37 minutes each to go from blank canvas to finished artwork. This all happens while you are enjoying music, a few drinks and meeting new friends. Then all of the artworks will go to auction, starting at $70. This is the Art Social II and I have never participated in anything like this before!

Why 37 minutes?
The time frame is 37 minutes in order to honour Robert Genn, a Canadian legend and art mentor who passed away in 2014. One of his teaching methods was to paint an artwork in 37 minutes, then paint that same artwork in 37 paint strokes. It makes you think carefully about what you are putting on canvas.
The event will be benefiting the Children of the Street Society. Learn more about them here, www.childrenofthestreet.com.
Come join us for  a social night of art!
When: Saturday, August 20, 2016 from 5:30 PM to 11:30 PM (PDT)
Where: The Shipyards - 15 Wallace Mews, North Vancouver - view location map
Get your tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-art-social-ii-tickets-26737683130

(no guarantee for ticket at the doors, best to purchase ahead of time)

See you there!

 

Six New Little Gem Paintings

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Each of these Little Gems paintings is a visual snapshot of my play and practice as an artist. I began with6 a blank sheets of loose gessoed canvas paper, a few chosen and limited colours of acrylic paints, some mixed media bits such as water soluble pencils, and some fun tools - in this case foam circles and my finger tips! The process is quick and happens with a focus on creating with a few primary marks and this limited palette. As I create I encourage myself to stretch and do things differently each time with the same limitations. Sometimes the pieces work out, sometimes they are beautiful ‘mistakes’ - just like life. But the important part is to keep practicing and enjoying the process.www.debchaney.com

From top left, clock-wise. 'Without Hindrance', 'Full Expansion', 'Flow & Trust', 'Absence of Subjection', 'Physically Free' and 'Unaffected by Gravity'. Each are 9" x 12" on loose canvas, easy to frame to match your style & design aesthetic, easy to ship. purchase@debchaney.com  or text (604) 736-5111.

The Gift of Art Scams

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Disappearing.jpg 'Disappearing'. Little Gems Series. 9" x 12" Mixed Media on Loose Canvas. Original Available. info@debhchaney.com genuine inquiries, no scammers, please. :-)

I get a lot of frequent scam "inquiries" for the purchase of my art.  I know for a fact that a number of my artist friends get them too, that's what I love about social  media sharing, we talk, so scammers be aware!

The email art inquiries have a number of 'red flags' that always tell me that it's going to be bogus and end up going nowhere. A potential trap to extort money. To start its usually a man: Tayor, Hank or Jim, some name like that.

Secondly, they often have a great catchy story to get the unaware artist excited... could be something like "My wife and I were looking at your website and I am planning to get her a piece of your artwork as a surprise gift..." Or, I've had this one so many times it makes me laugh; "I'm a marine biologist away at sea looking at purchasing some of your artwork to ship to....."

Last week I had one guy send me consecutive emails about how he was looking through the art at home with his wife on the sofa and getting excited to buy her something, then a few emails later he was going to be away at sea working as a marine biologist... Still looking to purchase my artworks. OMG. You're Kidding right?!

I think these guys must take an online course somewhere entitled "How to extort money out of artists." The adjective appearing before artist could be naive/stupid/gullible, etc. They sign up and are then probably given scripts on how to approach us. They get told they will get rich doing this. Just a guess here.

The third red flag  is that they are usually from some far away country like Tunisia or Lithuania or some exotic place you've never heard of.

The final kicker red flag is that they alway have their own shipping company. So they will send you the money and take care of the arrangements.This part is a big deal for them. They are so attached. I think the online course has a whole pack of scripts on this one with details about it that go on for pages, let me tell you.

But here's the thing that keeps me laughing the whole while I read these emails. The focus of the inquiry is ALWAYS on the shipping. Sometimes they even forget to mention what art pieces of yours that they want or like !!! They just keep focussing in on the shipping, shipping, shipping. It's the biggest tip off.

As a side note, last summer I even received a Bank of America USD cheque from one of these shipping-obsessed fanatics to my P.O. Box. It just felt wrong and it was wayyyy more money than the cost of the paintings he'd inquired about. I actually took the cheque to a local bank to ask if it was legit, but they said they had no way to know unless I cashed it. I decided to shred it and moved on.

Don't get me wrong. I love money and receiving it especially for doing what I love. And I truly, absolutely, love selling my artwork to appreciative collectors. But, I would choose to not make a sale over involving myself with something that is not legitimate.

But, you are asking me, what are the possible benefits of these pesky email inquiries? How can this be positive? Ah, my friend, so glad you asked. We resourceful creative types can always find and use everything to our advantage -  if we so choose!

The gifts of these scammers for me was going back to my website and ensuring that every art piece is labeled - sold or available. (If any are missing those labels, pls do let me know!) Then the potential collector can check for themselves if they are really interested in a piece.

I also got crystal clear on my pricing scheme for ALL my works, which is logical and based on painting size. I made a .pdf document with that size and pricing information, updatable for each year if I choose to increase my prices. So anyone inquiring about my artworks gets emailed this document and we're all clear on what art is available - check website - and what price it is - look at size, look up correlated price. Now that feels good.

The other gift of these interactions was developing a clear written payment policy and shipping policy. (again a .pdf doc which is emailed to inquirors). I have shipped paintings to Germany, Boston and Los Angeles with great success using both USPS, Canada Post, Fed Ex and UPS. My favourite is Fed Ex because I ask the client to set up a shipping account, they give me the number and when I go to the Fed Ex outlet, the shipping is simply billed directly to the customer. I'm guessing UPS does the same. Easy and effective. Tried and true.

So, thank-you scammers, for helping me get clear on my policies, prices, and what I am willing and not willing to do and be as a  professional working artist. I have learned I value true connection, integrity, kindness and prefer to work with those that do too.

 

 

 

The vulnerability of process

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ThickLayersInProcess.png The vulnerability of a painting in process... Base layers, texture, ideas, attachment, courage, fear, love, excitement... What will she become? An abstract landscape mixed media painting in process. Again, I am lured to the metaphor of raising a child. They need guidance, attention and love. But then again we can't get too attached in the case of smothering or not letting them have their own life.

The painting process is so similar. I have to give her love and attention and then step back. Let her breathe. Ponder what's next. Trust its going to some how all come together, even if I have no idea how.Trust that she'll grow up to be whose she's supposed to be in the world. That I gave her everything she needed. Letting go is required at some point.

When I am painting, I receive guidance for the next layer, one layer at a time. I have a sense idea of what I want to create, but not an exact pre-conceived image. Just feelings, colours, ideas, textural shapes. An idea. An inspiration. Guidance. I must step back, stop even, and reflect on principles of design and colour to help me get situated with all the elements I'm working with. So often, it's easier when I really dislike the piece. Then I go forth without a care or whim and add and subtract layers with so much freedom. I'm loving every layer here, so its fun and beautiful and excruciating all at once. Just like raising a child you love so much.

Love, let go, love, let go...

 

 

Youth World Cup Painting Competition

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WorldYouthPntComp I am so deeply honored to be asked to jury in the 4th Annual Youth World Cup Painting Competition this year, headed up by  Barbara Zeigler, Artist & Associate Professor of The UBC Department of Art History. This fundraising event is in collaboration with UNICEF Canada to support their School-in-a-Box Program. This is a box that has all the supplies that a school need such as coloured pencils, notebooks, pencils, chalks, exercise books, illustrated books, rulers, erasers, globe. Along with a solar-power radio, scissors, and a blackboard transformed from the box itself. A box can support the study of 40 students, a size that is a small community school. All the funds raised from this painting compeition will go directly to the designated special account: www.unicef.ca/youthartists.

You can watch a moving video about this youth art competition here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owZlGRfvuFI

And, If you are between the ages of 4 and 25 you can enter the painting competition until July 30, 2016 here: http://www.paintingworldcup.org/home/2016-world-cup/registration.

The following is my greeting letter for the committee for participating as a judge in this event.

GreetingLetterDChaney_IMAGE.jpg

 

The underpainting...this is where it starts

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TransitionZonesUnderPi2016.png This is an under painting ... Aka it's going to change as I add layers. What's special here is how this piece is already telling me what it's about. I randomly ripped pages out from found alleyway discarded books and what magically appears is: "Transitional Zones and States" and then "Transition Zones are regions in which the flow is re-adjusting itself to a new set of boundary conditions in space." This is just totally describing my life right now. Thank-you art, my forever companion on this journey ! #debchaney #contemporaryabstractart #artinprocess #mixedmedia http://www.debchaney.com

Group Painting Party

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ArtGroupWorkshopDChaney.jpeg If you have a group up to 8 adults or teens you are welcome to join me in my home studio in Kitsilano, Vancouver, BC for a painting party. I would be delighted to host a 2-3 hr painting intro mini workshop. I  provide all the supplies and materials and  you just need to bring a painting apron. Each of you would work on  9" x 12" canvas pad pieces (provided) which is loose canvas that can be framed beautifully or cut up and turned into gift cards, note pad covers, or journal covers. (I’ll show you samples !) For this mini workshop class, I will cover basic colour mixing and layering. We’ll be using acrylic paints with gel medium. We’ll free flow paint in abstract or shapes, everyone is free to paint what they wish. I’ll start with a short intro to get us inspired and focused and a painting demonstration to start up the group. My fee for this is $250 plus tax. inquire@debchaney.com (604) 736-5111.

Learn more about other workshop offerings here: http://www.illuminatetheartistwithin.com

Three New Paintings

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ContentToBe2016DChaney.pngThree brand new paintings fresh from the studio June 2016 entitled "Content to be right where I am". In this triptych, each original mixed media abstract painting is 23" x 30" on coldpress 300 pound water colour paper and can be mounted on wood panel or framed under glass. All three pieces are available for rent or purchase info@debchaney.com call/text (604) 736-5111. Best to come to the studio and see the paintings 'in person' if you are in Vancouver, BC, as these are very non-professional pictures taken on my cell phone - you can see the various lighting not working to show off these beauties. I'll have them professionally photographed in due course, but was so excited to share with you as they are new and exciting! Probably the centre picture is the closest to the actual look - they are very light and have an etheral feel to them! See more pieces in this series at Fragments of Life Paintings.

Creativity gets us out of the box

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JMQuoteLines_IMAGE.jpg I love this quote by John Mayer "They love to tell you,  stay inside the lines. But something's better on the other side." It's from his song 'No Such Thing' and I feel like it really applies to being creative. It gets us into new possibilities and options that did not previously exist. It gets us out of our own boxes, beyond the lines that were drawn for us at the start. This is something I love about the painting process, is that it's a safe and easy way to practice being creative and expanding myself. Then, as I grow this creative courage in the studio, I can go into the 'real world' and be more brave, more curious, more creative with greater confidence. I intend to offer support to my students in growing this creative and risk-taking muscle in the workshops I offer. http://www.IlluminateTheArtistWithin.com]